HOPKINTON — The town is looking for companies interested in leasing town-owned land on Fruit Street to build a solar farm.

A request for proposals from the town was released Thursday. The RFP also includes a purchase power agreement, which will help reduce the town’s energy bills, according to Dave Daltorio, town engineer and facility manager.

The proposals are due to the town the first week of August. A review committee will examine them and make a recommendation to Town Manager Norman Khumalo.

The RFP calls for a private company to build a 1.5-megawatt system, which will likely take up about 7.5 acres.

The town owns over 250 acres off Fruit Street. Town Meeting in May 2013 approved setting aside 23 acres to pursue solar energy plans.

The town’s Sustainable Green Committee was a driving force behind the proposal. The lease will likely be for 20 years.

The committee at the time estimated the solar array could save the town as much as half its electricity costs annually.

Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 508-626-4338 or jphelps@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JPhelps_MW.